Bowladrome becomes Boston Bowl Hanover

Hanover Bowladrome has been purchased by the company that owns Boston Bowl in Dorchester, and will now be called Boston Bowl Hanover. The lanes will undergo a major renovation to be completed in fall 2009.

By Julie Onufrak

The Patriot Ledger, Quincy, MA

By Julie Onufrak

Posted Dec. 19, 2008 at 12:01 AM
Updated Dec 19, 2008 at 7:10 PM

By Julie Onufrak

Posted Dec. 19, 2008 at 12:01 AM
Updated Dec 19, 2008 at 7:10 PM

HANOVER

» Social News

Hanover Bowladrome has been purchased by the company that owns Boston Bowl in Dorchester. Its name has been changed to Boston Bowl Hanover.

The new owner, Phillips Family Hospitality, also plans renovations, which will be completed sometime next fall.

The couple who previously owned the Bowladrome wanted to retire, and Phillips Family Hospitality saw an opportunity, said vice president and Scituate resident Joe Sammartino.

“We thought there was a very good market down there as well,” he said.

The 17,000-square-foot candlepin bowling alley on Rockland Street will be open during renovations. Next summer, it will be upgraded with state-of-the-art technology such as automatic scoring, a refurbished interior and exterior, new video games and a larger snack area with an expanded menu, the company said. It will host leagues, birthday parties and social and corporate events.

Sammartino said once renovations are complete, the bowling alley will have a somewhat similar feel to Boston Bowl, while retaining the basic configuration of the Bowladrome.

Right now, there are 24 candlepin lanes and Sammartino said that the company is considering converting about half of the lanes for tenpin bowling.

Phillips Family Hospitality operates Boston Bowl, Phillips Candy House, Freeport Tavern, Phillips Banquet and Meeting Facility and the Ramada and Comfort inns in Dorchester and a candy shop at the South Shore Plaza in Braintree.

Sammartino’s father and two of his uncles opened the candy house as their first venture in 1952, and followed it with Boston Bowl in 1959.